Chapter 400

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Judy suddenly spoke up. “Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, I know I’ve caused you trouble. I’m sorry. This is my fault. I’ll leave now. Don’t worry, I know my place.”

Joseph suddenly panicked when he heard that.

“No!”

But Judy wouldn’t listen. She stepped past him, ready to walk out.

Joseph couldn’t let her go. He grabbed her hand and refused to let go.

For the first time, he felt a wave of panic.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that if he let go now, Judy might never come back.

He wasn’t willing to accept that.

He was simply chasing love–what was so wrong with that?

Melvin and Crystal stared intently at the hand their son refused to release.

Crystal was breaking into a nervous sweat.

Melvin was still watching, and she hadn’t expected Joseph to be this bold.

What was he thinking?

Did he even care about the position as heir to Hunt Enterprises anymore?

Crystal was deeply worried. If things really turned out badly because of this, and Joseph lost his chance to inherit the company – then what would become of him?

The massive Hunt Enterprises—who would it go to?

The thought gave her a pounding headache.

She couldn’t understand what had gotten into him. Why had he suddenly become so daring?

He’d never rebelled like this before.

Melvin looked at Joseph and found it laughable. “Joseph, don’t tell me you really think you’re something without Hunt Enterprises? Things have come to this, and you still can’t see what I want from you?”

“I…”

Joseph was suddenly jolted awake by those words.

His father’s comment was a blunt reminder: he wasn’t the only one who could inherit the company.

Even if he walked away, there were plenty of others who could take his place. He wasn’t irreplaceable.

So, what was the point of all this rebellion and drama?

Who exactly was he trying to prove a point to?

That thought shook his resolve, and doubt began to creep in.

Crystal seized the moment and pressed harder. “Son, listen to your father. Think it through. She’s not worth it. Don’t throw everything away over a woman. Don’t be foolish!”

Judy bit her lower lip hard.

She had no idea how much effort it took to hold herself back.

If Joseph hadn’t still been holding her hand, she would’ve stormed out by now.

This man had no sense of responsibility, none at all.

And this family was twisted beyond words.

It had only taken her one afternoon to see everything clearly.

It was pathetic how much time and energy she had wasted on all this.

This time, Judy didn’t hesitate.

She looked at Joseph—silent and conflicted—and it only made her want to laugh.

Since he couldn’t make a choice, then she would make it for him.

“Joseph, I’m tired.”

With those words, Judy began forcefully pulling her hand free from his grip.

She had expected him to hold on tightly, only to realize, with just a light tug, she was already free.

So, his heart had already made the choice for him.

“If you won’t choose, then I will.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Joseph instinctively reached out, as if to grab hold of something, and took a step forward.

But then he looked at Judy’s retreating figure and then at the sharp, unyielding expressions on his parents’ faces.

In the end, Joseph said nothing and stood frozen in the living room.

His silence was the decision.